Thigh numbness after 2-level PLIF

[MollieRRT]

I had a 2-level PLIF done in November 2005 (at age 27) & I'm experiencing numbness and tingling on the outer sides of both of my thighs from about 2 inches below my hip to about 1 inch above my knee. The numb area is also cool to the touch.  The surgery itself was thus far successful at relieving my foot drop, leg & back pain from spinal stenosis & spondylolesthesis(my back pain has been reduced by about 95% and I was able to return to work as a busy Respiratory Therapist just 3 months post-op). The thigh numbness puzzles my 2 neurosurgeons, they say nerves could have been damaged during the surgery itself but they've never heard of it happening.  I hate to complain about the numbness but it's very bothersome at times, has anyone else had such complications after this procedure ???

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH]

First of all keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you since I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes. The numbness you describe is in the area of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerves.  Compression of these nerves often causes numbness in people who wear tight pants, wear tool belts or are obese (anything that causes compression around the waist).  This type numbness is called meralgia paraesthetica and is usually intermittent, sometimes is assocaited with pain.  Treatment is avoiding the compression.



The surgery you had, posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgery, can also cause the type of numbness you describe. The nerve roots are retracted before the cages for spinal fusion are implanted.  There is a potential for injury with the retraction, but this is uncommon and typically resolves quickly after surgery.



I would recommend an EMG to assess the extent of your injury.  I would suspect you have a significant injury to these nerves since you are still having symptoms after 8 months or you have an alternative reason for the numbness.  I hope this has been helpful.

[painfree1]

Meralgia Paresthica can also come from myofascial trigger points located in the tensor fasciae latae, sartorius, psoas and iliopsoas muscles.



The knots or trigger points in these muscles shorten these muscles which can put pressure or entrap the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.



In addition to looser clothing over the front of the hip, you can work the muscles which play a role in your pain and dysfunction.



These trigger points can be releases by self compression, however, the psoas is difficult to do yourself. The sartorius muscle is one you can do yourself with a cross fiber technique.



I had this problem myself. You can look for a professional body worker like a myofascial trigger point therapist, professional massage therapist or other to work on you and or look for a book on self treatment of myofascial trigger points.

[badlegs]

Hello MollieRRT

I also suffer with numbness and tingling on the outer sides of both of my thighs from about 2 inches below my hips to about 1 inch above my knees.  The numb area feels like a large bruise when I touch the skin.  I have had this since my second son was born in August 1976. (30 years)  After the epidural was inserted I heard the doctor swear and he must have re-inserted the epidural a second time.  I was all rolled up like a ball and could not see him.  The epidural was for pain management during delivery of my son.  Oh...how I wish I had never seen that epidural...I suffer now every day.  

When the birth was over and the needle removed I noticed I had no feeling in my legs as described.  I asked my doctor (who did not give the needle)  why the feeling had not returned.  He assured me it would in time.  No such luck!!!

After several weeks of numbness, my doctor sent me to a neurologist who said I had "meralgia paraesthetica" and that it was the result of the "baby's head resting on a nerve".  He gave me large iron pills to take that he said would feed the nerves and fix the problem.  I couldn't take those pills as they were constipating.  I did try them for awhile but that didn't help at all.   The needle damaged my sciatic nerve.  There is no doubt of that now.  I suffer with severe lower left back pain that can hit unexpectedly and send me almost to the floor in pain.  It sends pain down my leg to my knee and I cannot walk until the spasm subsides.  The chiropractor looks after me now...I go every three weeks for the current on my lower left hip .   I have asked him about the epidural but he will not definitely say it was the epidural.  It is very frustrating to live with this pain every day.  The numbness in my legs has not been a real concern to me as it does not effect my walking ability.  However, this pain in my back never goes away.  If I lift something heavy, I will have a muscle spasm and backache for about 2 weeks.  The chiropractor has definitely relieved the pain. He keeps telling me it is inflammation in the hip joint.   When I approached my doctor and asked him if it could be from the epidural he denied that as that would of course be considered malpractice on the part of the other doctor (who has past away now).  It has been 30 years...a long time. I hope this helps you to know that others suffer with this condition.  I know reading about your situation has helped me.  Your situation was not from an epidural as mine but we obviously have the same medical result - lower leg numbness.